Mizzou, Kentucky look for offense
LEXINGTON, Ky. — No. 25 Missouri and Kentucky are looking to prove their offenses are better than the nine points they each scored in their last games.
The Wildcats (2-1, 1-1 SEC) might have more to prove of the two in tonight’s conference game after managing only three field goals and 241 yards in last week’s 14-9 loss to Florida. The offense hasn’t reached the end zone since the first half at South Carolina the week before, a stretch of six consecutive quarters.
Kentucky offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson said last week’s scoring problems might have resulted from players trying too hard to break a 28-game losing streak to the Gators. He is stressing a more relaxed but determined focus to get points against the Tigers (3-0, 0-0).
“We need to play like we play in practice, just play loose,” Dawson said. “A lot of times in the game we’re just scared to make mistakes, scared to do things that I see them do every day in practice. We just need to put the ball down and play like nobody’s in the stadium and we’ll be fine.”
Kentucky is a field-goal favorite despite last week’s paltry effort, mainly because Missouri squeaked by Connecticut 9-6. Both offenses are struggling, with the Wildcats’ No. 11 unit (358.3 yards per game) ranked three spots above the last-place Tigers (325) in the SEC.
Kentucky needs to be better than that against Missouri’s stout defense that is allowing a conference-best 9.7 points and 217 yards per game. Despite the numbers, Missouri Coach Gary Pinkel believes his team has plenty of room for improvement after it committed four turnovers, missed two field goals and had an extra point blocked.
“We’ve had some tough times, and we’ve got to work real hard to correct it,” said Pinkel, whose team begins pursuit of its third consecutive SEC East title. “Guys have got to step it up, and as coaches we’ve got to do a better job.
“We’re working hard to get better.”
Missouri quarterback Maty Mauk and his Kentucky counterpart Patrick Towles also need boosts after subpar efforts last week. Towles completed just 8 of 24 passes for 126 yards with 2 interceptions against Florida, one of which led to the Gators’ first touchdown and changed the momentum. Mauk rushed for a 2-yard touchdown but heard boos during the Tigers’ lowest scoring output since 1978.
A sprained ankle sustained in Missouri’s season opener sidelined senior tailback Russell Hansbrough last week against UConn, but is ready to get started after rushing for 1,084 yards last season. Hansbrough needs 54 yards to become the 15th Missouri player to break 2,000 career yards, and the Tigers need his power after gaining just 85 yards on 34 carries.
Kentucky allowed six sacks against Florida, a big reason that Towles and the passing
game sputtered. Improvement is necessary against Missouri’s front four, particularly pass rushers Charles Harris and Walter Brady. Both have two sacks each and have combined for 12 tackles for loss.
Missouri linebacker Kentrell Brothers leads the nation with 42 tackles, including three for loss. The senior also has two interceptions and blocked two kicks.
Kentucky linebacker Ryan Flannigan should finally see the field after missing a good chunk of fall camp and the first three games with a shoulder injury. His return follows last week’s return of Jason Hatcher from a suspension and bolsters a linebacking corps that has made do so far with youngsters. The Wildcats are allowing just more than 380 yards per game.